A/H1N1

Two influenza vaccines IVACFLU-S and IVACFLY, which were successfully produced in Vietnam, were introduced at a workshop held by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) and the Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) in the central province of Khanh Hoa on September 25.

The Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) has completed the clinical trials of two types of seasonal influenza vaccine, which are expected to receive approval for commercial use in 2019, said Dr Le Van Be, head of the institute.

Hospitals and clinics in Vietnam have started implementing surveillance of nosocomial infections and monitoring the hospital-infection control process, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Viet Tien said at a recent meeting.

The swine flu virus A/H1N1 has left a female dead in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long after a male patient died at a medical centre in Tran Van Thoi district of Ca Mau province earlier this month.

Vietnam and France signed many cooperation agreements in health during a working visit to France by Vietnamese Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien from June 13-17 at the invitation of French Minister of Solidarities and Health Agnès Buzyn.